I've had the same thing in the past. It is unfair and hurtful and I urge you to lodge a complaint with the relevant governing body/medical board. Good luck

Kaiser did that to me also because I asked for a dose change. Uh-oh.

I read my medical file, challenged it with letters to several at Kaiser and fired my doc.

Needless to say, as soon as I could I exited the Kaiser system. But that's me--prefer my family practice guy who has known me for years.

Complain and change your providers, I say.

When you read the "warning signs" of issues with pain meds, one of the warning signs is concern about how many pills you have.

Given how often I'm hearing this story I think you'd have to be crazy NOT to worry about how many pills you have. Too many legitimate pain patients are being denied medication that's critical to their quality of life.

I'm really sorry this happened to you. I hope you can get your medication and leave this doctor.

You can ask them to change incorrectinfo in your medical records.But, some howI don't believe this will apply. You can put a statement in your medical records. But, don't be surprised if what the dr wrote in this situation, is always believed. Any new dr you see will want a copy of your previous medical records.

I have heard the pill count thing being a sign of addiction also. The drs are the ones who are interested in the pill count, not the patients. But, if meds are taken exactly as directed, I guess pill counts shouldn't be a concern for the patient.

Your Medical Records-(See Correcting Information)-
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/medicalrecords.html

These are very hard questions, but to be truthful, yes, these are all signs of addiction. I have fibromyalgia, connective tissue disease and Reynauds. It all started 2yrs ago with the ever so painful Reynauds disease. To this date, my Dr. has never put me on pain medications. I question him, why would you let me suffer like this? He was worried if I take pain medication it would mask the other medication that would help control the problem at hand. I'm still in pain. Now a long story short, almost 2 weeks ago I had my 22yr old son come to me and tell me he needs help for his drug addiction. He is now in a treatment center. It all started with the prescribed pain meds but has turned into much worse. I thought he was taking to much of his pain medication (he was run over by a truck 2 yrs ago) I had no idea this turned into something much more. Now this treatment center is sending me information on addiction which some I am learning of, I had no idea. Although we are in pain and may need the meds to control the pain doesn't mean we don't get addicted to these. It's up to our Doctors to talk to us and monitor this because they know we may need this even longer than expected but should also know when to try to taper us off without placing any labels on you. Some people with the same chronic pain and same medications do not have those symptoms and thus are not labeled as addicted. My sons doctor did not monitor him properly and missed all the signs of addiction turning almost deadly on him. You should go and talk to that Dr. to see how this can be changed for you.

kido818 I'm very sorry about your son, but don't make the mistake of confusing your experience with some universal experience. The incidence of addiction to pain medication is very low - somewhere around 7% and much lower when you remove those who already had a history of substance abuse.

That means at best, effective medication would be withheld from 93% of patients who are at next to no risk because of fear of addiction for those few. I don't discount the severity of the consequences - I was married to a multiple addict for 10 years - but it makes no sense to withhold medication from so many out of misplaced fear.

There are many people who would have little or no quality of life without pain medication. They use their medication responsibly and are at no risk of addiction. The "warning signs" are much too general and include, if you take only one or two of them, many people who are at no risk. Those who have pain medication live in fear because of the political climate we live in currently. I know exactly how many pills I have, and how long they would last if I could no longer obtain them.

I work 40 hours a week in a knowledge profession, have three volunteer gigs, and those here who know me know I'm an active and outspoken advocate for people with chronic pain and a long time support group leader. I've met more people with chronic pain than some doctors. We are not all the same, and we shouldn't be treated as if we are.

I'm with Peace. Requiring meds to function is not an automatic sign of addiction. I require epilepsy meds or I have seizures. I'm not addicted to those meds, I just don't have much life without 'em.

Also, pain medications vary. If the medication in question is an opiate, there is a danger of physical addiction over time, yes, but it's not the same for chronic pain patients as it is for recreational users. Speaking from *my* experience? I have yet to get hit with anything that does more than lessen pain. I've yet to have any med remove it. (Including dilaudid, morphine, and sundry.)

I do advocate as few meds as possible, when and where possible, but in these situations, it's best to discuss with the doctor

1. Why they have the concern
2. Are they just following a random guideline set by AMA, DEA< FDA, HMO, etc. (that can happen)
3. Are there alternative therapies to the medications of concern
4. If they feel addiction is the true issue, then treat it and/or take steps to place "checks' in place.

A good doc, in my experience, will talk to the patient directly about concerns like this, and be vigilant of chronic pain patients.

I'm given no pain meds. Unless you count NSAIDs. But I'm given those technically for inflammation related to non-FM problems. Soooo....

Challenge, question, and repeat, IMO.

Just my thoughts, from the trenches of Chronic Pain.

I agree with Leo. There is a lot of good info here. Taking on a institution like health care can be totally intimidating. Do you have a health care advocate? Someone who can help you with paperwork and attend appointments with you? I have helped several friends by being their advocate. They have said it was helpful.

I'm a recovering drug/alcohol addict. I have 25 years clean and sober. I was not addicted to pain meds. Instead, I used alcohol to numb me and amphetamines to keep me going. This led me down some very dark paths.

I've been taking various meds for 23 years that treat some of the different aspects of fibro. Several of the meds have a high risk of abuse. My doctors know that I am in recovery and we discuss the pros and cons of my meds. In the 23 years I have never taken more than prescribed. I am extra vigilent.(sp) I know the difference between addictive abuse/recreational use of drugs and taking as prescribed.

I'm pretty sure that when you were on your meds that you followed the drs orders. I think it is outrageous that you have been labeled an addict. Please pursue whatever is necessary to get this righted,

Good Luck!